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1.d. AutoCAD Lecture 1
1.d. AutoCAD Lecture 1
AutoCAD 2000
Lecture 1
Prof. Mounir Mabsout
Elsa Sulukdjian
Walid El Asmar
AutoCAD Generalities
Design software developed by AutoDesk.
First released in 1982 under the name
‘MicroCAD’.
Revolutionary drafting and design tool.
Translated into 18 languages.
AutoCAD Environment
Menu
Drawing
ToolBars Area
Command Status
Window Bar
AutoCAD Environment
Menu: Contains all commands needed to run and design
in AutoCAD.
Toolbars: Quick access to some commands. According
to his need, the user can customize the AutoCAD
environment by adding/removing toolbars.
Command Window: Displays prompts and messages.
Drawing Area: Area where you draw (How surprising)
Status Bar: Displays the cursor coordinates in the lower-
left corner. Also contains buttons to turn on common
drawing aids (Snap, Grid, Ortho, Polar, Osnap, etc…).
Drawing Coordinates
Drawing Units: Go to Format Menu, Units
option.
Absolute Coordinates
– Rectangular: x , y
– Polar: <
Relative Coordinates
– Rectangular: @ x , y
– Polar: @ <
Drawing Aids
Grid and Snap Grid
Grid: Area of the graphic covered with regularly spaced
dots, acting as visual reference.
Snap Grid: Invisible grid that locks the pointer into
alignment with the grid points according to the spacing
set by Snap.
Note:
Both options can be turned On/Off from the Status Bar.
Grid and Snap Grid are independent options; and grids
spacing do not have to coincide.
Grids shape and spacing can be specified from
‘Tools’ menu, choosing ‘Drafting Settings’; or with
command line ‘Dsettings’; or by right-clicking on
Drawing Aids (cont’d)
Object Snap
Object Snap: Option used to snap the cursor to particular
points on objects, i.e. end points, centers, etc…
The option can be turned On/Off from the Status Bar.
Three Object Snap methods:
From the Standard Toolbar, by clicking on a button of
the Object Snap flyout.
Press SHIFT and Right-Click near the point intended
to snap to; and then choose an object snap from the
shortcut menu.
Enter an object snap abbreviation on the command line
(END, MID, INT, etc…).
Drawing Aids (cont’d)
Grips and Ortho
Grips: Small squares that appear on selected objects. By
selecting a grip and dragging the mouse, you can stretch
or move the object.
Use Esc key twice to deselect grips.